From nycsubway.org

Contents

Overview

Portland's MAX, short for Metropolitan Area Express, covers 44 miles
across the Portland Metro area. MAX uses a combination of
right-of-ways including freeway shoulders and medians, paved tracks on
city streets, and private right of way. Some sections of track use old
trolley lines. TriMet, the Portland metro area's Transit Authority,
owns and operates the MAX Light Rail system. Almost all of TriMet's
bus lines tie into MAX stations, feeding the growing rail system.

The MAX Blue Line is the first light rail line in Portland, and is the
main east-west spine of the MAX system. Beginning in 1986 with the
Portland-Gresham segment (Cleveland Avenue to 11th Avenue), this was
extended from downtown Portland to Hillsboro in 1998. These two
segments now make up the Blue Line, but are referred to as Eastside
MAX (Galleria/Library stations east to Gresham) and Westside MAX
(Galleria/Library west to Hillsboro). This main spine of MAX is used
by all the other lines to enter downtown Portland. The Red Line uses
the segment between Beaverton Transit Center and Gateway Transit
Center. The Yellow Line uses a small section over the Steel Bridge to
Rose Quarter. And the newest part of MAX, the Green line, piggybacks
from Steel Bridge to Gateway.

Roster

Numbers

Type

Manufacturer

Year Built

Status

Notes

100-126

Type 1

Bombardier

1986

201-252

Type 2

Siemens SD600A

1998

301-327

Type 3

Siemens SD600A

2004

401-422

Type 4

Siemens SD70

2009

The MAX system now includes over 100 articulated light rail
vehicles. The first trains received were high-floor Bombardier cars,
ordered for the original starter line. These cars presently are not
allowed to run as singles or doubles on the system, as these would not
comply with ADA. A low floor car must be coupled to any Bombardier car
in order to guarantee wheelchair access. The design of these cars are
similar to

The next cars ordered were 52 Siemens low-floor cars, eliminating the
need for the notorious wheelchair lifts which slowed down travel across
the system. Using an ingenious "Bridge Plate" ramp, these trains sit
level with the platform surface, with the deployable ramp spanning the
gap. These ramps only deploy if the operator in the cab is requested
to do so, or a passenger pushes a button. Previously, those in
wheelchairs had to use lifts at every station, which required MAX
operators to leave the cab and operate the lift.

The 200 series inaugurated North America's first low-floor light rail
vehicles, and prompting a massive platform rebuilding and retrofitting
the older Bombardier cars with recorded announcements. All trains now
have recorded messages announcing the station name, which side the
train's doors are opening upon, line color, destination, direction of
travel, and safety information. This information is also repeated in
Spanish.

The 300 series were ordered for the Interstate MAX line, and are
identical to the 200 series Siemens cars. Other than some improved
electronics and a new TriMet paint scheme, only the numbers are
different. As of this writing, TriMet has received 17 Type-3 MAX,
which are all in revenue service. Ten more cars awaiting receiving
will soon round out the 300 series.

Unlike most modern light rail systems, MAX trains use roll signs
instead of digital readouts. Signs for the various lines have the line
color in the background, with either white or black lettering stating
the destination. Black roll signs with white lettering usually
indicate trains out of service.

All three types of trains are able to run on every section of the
system, however consists are limited to a maximum of 2 cars. This is
limited because Portland's smaller, 200 foot blocks would not allow a
train to use a station without blocking auto traffic on cross streets.

Fares

TriMet's three zone fare system is applied to MAX service. The fare
you pay is based upon how many zones you plan upon traveling
through. MAX tickets and bus transfers are mutually accepted,
providing seamless transfers.

The fare system is enforced by the Proof-of-Payment (POP) method, so
everyone's on the honor system. However, fares are enforced by random
sweeps by local law enforcement and TriMet Fare Inspectors. Violations
can carry a fine and/or exclusion from the TriMet system and property.

Links

Official Site - TriMet. Tri-County
Metropolitan Transit District of Oregon Schedules, real-time arrivals,
and more!